Continuous Meat Grinding Reclaiming System

ABSTRACT

An continuous meat grinding reclaiming system that comprises a primary meat grinder unit and a secondary meat grinding unit for continuously and simultaneously processing a meat batch in a single processing run. The primary meat grinder unit is designed to grind a batch of meat by initially separating or extrapolating pure meat from the meat that contains bone; collecting the pure meat into a container; and transferring the meat that contains the bone to the secondary meat grinder unit. The secondary meat grinder unit is designed further grind the batch of meat by separating additional pure meat from the meat that contains the bone; collecting this additional pure meat into the container with the original pure meat; and discard any remaining “undesirables”. The meat grinding reclaiming system also provides an inventive variable valve reducer for controlling the flow of the undesirables through the secondary transfer pipe.

I. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is a divisional application claiming priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/467,681, entitled “Continuous Meat Grinding Reclaiming System,” filed on May 9, 2012, still pending and fully incorporated herein by reference, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/518,906, entitled “Continuous Meat Grinding Reclaiming System,” filed on May 12, 2011, fully incorporated herein by reference.

II. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to meat grinding systems and, more particularly, to an improved rotary meat grinding system that provides a primary meat grinder unit and a secondary meat grinder unit or reclaiming unit for continuously and simultaneously processing a meat batch in a single processing run. The meat grinding system also provides an inventive variable valve reducer for controlling the flow in the secondary transfer pipe.

III. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

In the meat grinding industry, there have been many meat grinder devices to extrapolate bone, hard gristle, foreign objects, etc. from the meat as it is being ground through the grinder. Such various meat grinding systems include but are not limited to those disclosed in the following patents U.S. Pat. No. 7,114,671 entitled “Device For Separating The Hard Components of A Grinder Used In The Field of The Food Industry, and In Particular For the Mincing of Meat”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,795,104 entitled “Multi-Station Meat Grinder with Bone Chip Removal Means”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,536,920 entitled “Two Stage Meat Strainer”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,422,582 entitled “Food Processing Machine”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,004,742 entitled “Rotary Meat Grinder with Bone-Collecting Facilities”; U.S. Pat. No. 3,971,514 entitled “Meat Grinder Attachment”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,743,192 entitled “Comminutor-Mixer”; U.S. Pat. No. 3,298,057 entitled “Apparatus For Processing Meat.” Although each of these patents disclose various means and apparatus for grinding and separating meat from bone, these patented devices do not solve a significant problem that currently exists in the industry.

During the grinding procedures for the preparation of meat for hamburger, sausage, etc., batches of meat are initially processed and separated into pure meat (i.e., that is meat not containing any bone) and rework meat (i.e., that is pure meat still containing bone and requiring further separation). This grinding process continues for many batches of meat from different lots or loads such that all of the pure meat from these various batches of meat and different lots or loads, upon initial processing, are grouped together and collected into a single container (“original batches of pure meat”). All of the remaining rework meat from each of these various batches of meat and different lots or loads are likewise grouped together and collected into another container (“batches of rework meat”). This collection of batches of rework meat is then stored in a refrigerated room, via a container or some other storage device, for later reprocessing by a rework grinder. The rework grinder then processes these collective batches of rework meat together for further separation. The pure meat from this rework grinder (i.e., that is pure meat that no longer contains any bone) is then mixed back into with the original batches of pure meat and the entire collection of all of this pure meat is later prepared for commercial packaging, etc. . . . while the remaining bone, etc. . . . from the rework grinder is discarded as waste.

Based on the above procedures, however, there are inherent problems in this processing system. For example: (a) the original batches of pure meat from the initial processing consists of many different batches of meat from different lots or loads which are grouped together and collected into a single container. Should it later be determined that any of the meat in this container is contaminated, it is nearly impossible to distinguish which of the different lots or batches of meat that the contamination came from and the entire container lot might have to be discarded;

(b) the batches of rework meat must be stored in a refrigerated room and maintained at a temperature at or below forty degrees Fahrenheit (40° F.). Should the temperature of the meat exceed this temperature, the rework meat could oxidize from exposure to the atmosphere before the rework meat reaches the refrigerator and/or bacterial growth or other contamination may occur to all or a portion of the batches of rework meat;

(c) the batches of rework meat should be reworked within four (4) hours and, even if reworked within that time frame, the same problems as discussed in (b) above may occur. Additionally, to accomplish this additional reworking at a later time, requires a further time delay and increased various labor and handling costs to accommodate same; and

(d) the pure meat produced from the batches of rework meat is mixed back into the original batches of pure meat. Again, should it later be determined that any meat in this container is contaminated, it is nearly impossible to distinguish which of the different lots or batches of meat that the contamination came from and the entire container lot, containing all of the original batches of pure meat plus the pure meat from the batches of rework meat, might have to be discarded.

Applicant's inventive meat grinding reclaiming system, however, continuously and simultaneously processes a batch of meat in a single processing run solves these problems. Thus, there is a need and there has never been disclosed Applicant's new inventive continuous meat grinding reclaiming system.

IV. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a continuous meat grinding reclaiming system that comprises a primary meat grinder unit and a secondary (or reclaiming) meat grinding unit for continuously and simultaneously processing meat batches in a single processing run. The primary meat grinder unit is designed to grind meat by initially separating or extrapolating pure meat from the meat that contains bone, hard gristle, foreign objects, etc. . . . (collectively referred to herein as “bone”); collecting the pure meat into a container; and transferring the meat that contains the bone to the secondary meat grinder unit. The secondary meat grinder unit is designed to further grind the batch of meat (e.g., the exhausted meat) by separating additional pure meat from the meat that contains the bone; collecting this additional pure meat into the container with the original pure meat from the primary meat grinder unit; and discard any remaining meat containing bone (collectively referred to herein as “undesirables”). The meat grinding reclaiming system also provides an inventive variable valve reducer for controlling the flow of the undesirables through the secondary transfer pipe.

V. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The Description of the Preferred Embodiment will be better understood with reference to the following figures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the meat grinding reclaiming system.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the primary meat grinding unit.

FIG. 3 is a back side perspective view of the recessed plate used in the primary meat grinding unit.

FIG. 4 is a front side perspective view of the recessed plate used in the primary meat grinding unit.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the recessed plate used in the primary meat grinding unit.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the recessed plate used in the primary meat grinding unit.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the secondary meat grinding unit.

FIG. 8 is a back side perspective view of the recessed plate used in the secondary meat grinding unit.

FIG. 9 is a front side perspective view of the recessed plate used in the secondary meat grinding unit.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the recessed plate used in the secondary meat grinding unit.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the recessed plate used in the secondary meat grinding unit.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a variable valve reducer.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the variable valve reducer.

FIG. 14 is a front view of the variable valve reducer.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 13, of the variable valve reducer.

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the variable valve reducer and, in particular, illustrating the valve body, the valve regulator insert, and the end coupling.

FIG. 17 is a side perspective view of the valve regulator insert and, in particular, illustrating the positioning of the curved wall.

FIG. 18 is a side perspective view of the valve regulator insert and, in particular, illustrating an alternate positioning of the curved wall.

FIG. 19 is a side perspective view of the valve regulator insert and, in particular, illustrating another alternate positioning of the curved wall.

FIG. 20 is a bottom view of the valve regulator insert as illustrated in FIG. 17.

FIG. 21 is a bottom view of the valve regulator insert as illustrated in FIG. 18.

FIG. 22 is a bottom view of the valve regulator insert as illustrated in FIG. 19.

FIG. 23 a is a front view of the valve regulator insert and, in particular, illustrating the curved wall in the fully open position.

FIG. 23 b is a front view of the valve regulator insert and, in particular, illustrating the detent used to position the curved wall in the fully open position.

FIG. 24 a is a front view of the valve regulator insert and, in particular, illustrating the curved wall in a second position.

FIG. 24 b is a front view of the valve regulator insert and, in particular, illustrating the detent used to position the curved wall in the second position.

FIG. 25 a is a front view of the valve regulator insert and, in particular, illustrating the curved wall in a third position.

FIG. 25 b is a front view of the valve regulator insert and, in particular, illustrating the detent used to position the curved wall in the third position.

FIG. 26 a is a front view of the valve regulator insert and, in particular, illustrating the curved wall in a fourth position.

FIG. 26 b is a front view of the valve regulator insert and, in particular, illustrating the detent used to position the curved wall in the fourth position.

FIG. 27 a is a front view of the valve regulator insert and, in particular, illustrating the curved wall in a fifth position.

FIG. 27 b is a front view of the valve regulator insert and, in particular, illustrating the detent used to position the curved wall in the fifth position.

FIG. 28 is a side view of the valve regulator insert and, in particular, illustrating the plunger and protruding tip inserted into the detent to secure or lock the curved wall into position within the passageway of the variable valve reducer.

FIG. 29 a is a side perspective view, with portions removed, of the variable valve reducer and, in particular, illustrating the curved wall of the valve regulator insert in the fully open position.

FIG. 29 b is a side perspective view, with portions removed, of the variable valve reducer and, in particular, illustrating the curved wall of the valve regulator insert as it rotates towards another position within the passageway.

FIG. 29 c is a side perspective view, with portions removed, of the variable valve reducer and, in particular, illustrating the curved wall of the valve regulator insert as it continues to rotates toward another position and further into the passageway.

FIG. 29 d is a side perspective view, with portions removed, of the variable valve reducer and, in particular, illustrating the curved wall of the valve regulator insert in the fifth position.

VI. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning first to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a continuous meat grinding reclaiming system 30 separated into a primary meat grinding unit 32 and a secondary (or reclaiming) meat grinding unit 34.

The primary meat grinding unit 32, and its components, are more clearly shown in the exploded view as illustrated in FIG. 2. As illustrated, the primary meat grinding unit 32 comprises a hopper 48, a spiral barrel 50, an auger 52, a stud spring 54, a knife drive 56, a knife blade 58, a recessed plate 60, and a coupling ring 62, which when fixedly attached to the spiral barrel 50, secures these components therein. The primary meat grinding unit 32 is also electrically powered by an electric motor or any other power means that is known by one skilled in the art. In the preferred embodiment, the motor is preferably a single speed motor. Alternatively, the motor may be another other type of motor provided that it has sufficient power to run the primary meat grinding unit 32 as described in further detail below and accomplish the purposes described herein.

In use, the primary meat grinding unit 32 is designed to grind a batch of meat deposited into the hopper 48 and, more specifically, begin the separation or extrapolation of bone, hard gristle, foreign objects, etc. . . . from the meat. A typical batch of meat may weigh upwards of approximately two thousand pounds (2,000 lbs.). Alternatively, the size and amount of meat may vary, if desired. Upon depositing the meat into the hopper 48, the meat engages the auger 52 within the hopper 48 which, when powered, is continuously rotating. As the auger 52 is rotating, a helical screw blade 64 acts as a screw conveyor to advance the meat through the spiral barrel 50. Should the meat be initially too large to be advanced through the spiral barrel 50, the helical screw blade 64, during rotation, will continually cut the meat into smaller pieces or sections until the pieces or sections of meat are of sufficient size to be advanced by the auger 52 through the spiral barrel 50. As the auger 52 continues to rotate, the meat will be continually advanced by the helical screw blade 64 toward the knife blade 58, rotatably driven by the knife drive 56, specifically the center stub contained therein, and the recessed plate 60. When the meat reaches the knife blade 58 and recessed plate 60, the pressure exerted by the rotating auger 52 will force the meat against the recessed plate 60 positioning the meat to be cut by the knife blade 58.

The recessed plate 60 is more clearly illustrated in FIGS. 3-6. As illustrated, the recessed plate 60 has a front side 66 and a back side 68. The front side 66 is substantially a flat surface 76 having a plurality of holes 70 and a plurality of recessed grooves 72 each leading or funneling into a central opening 74. In the preferred embodiment, each of the plurality of holes 70 are substantially the same size and each of the plurality of recessed grooves 72 are substantially identical to one another.

As the meat is forced against the recessed plate 60, the rotating knife blade 58 will abrade, slice, shear, grind, ground, or otherwise cut (collectively referred to herein as “cut”) the meat into smaller pieces of meat which, when cut into small enough pieces, the meat not containing any bone will be forced through one of the plurality of holes 70. The portions of the meat containing the bone, bone fragments, hard gristle, foreign objects, etc. . . . (collectively referred to herein as “bone”), however, are too large to pass through the plurality of holes 70. These portions of the meat and the bone will be swept around the flat surface 76 of the recessed plate 60 and will continually be cut into smaller pieces of meat by the knife blade 58 until this additional meat is cut into small enough pieces to pass through one of the plurality of holes 70. For the portions of the meat containing the bone that is still too large to pass through the plurality of holes 70, this meat and bone will rotate across the flat surface 76 and cut down until it engages one of the plurality of grooves 72. Due to the additional or new meat that is subsequently being advanced by the auger 52 toward the recessed plate 60, the pressure of this new advancing meat against this earlier meat and bone will force this meat containing bone into one of the plurality of grooves 72 where it becomes captured and no longer able to be swept around the flat surface 76 of the recessed plate 60. Then, as the plurality of grooves 72 become filled, the rotary motion of the knife blade 58 will exert a camming action on the meat containing bone within each of the plurality of grooves 72 tending to move this meat containing bone along the plurality of grooves 72 toward, and ultimately into, the central opening 74. In this manner, the meat not containing any bone (collectively referred to herein as “pure meat”) that is ground to a sufficient size to pass through the plurality of holes 70 of the recessed plate 60 and exit out one of the plurality of outlets 78 situated in the back side 68 of the recessed plate 60 is released or dropped into and collected in the container 42 (see FIG. 1). The meat containing the bone that is captured into each of the plurality of grooves 72 and, which is funneled into the central opening 74, is then forced through the central opening 74 and into a transfer pipe 80 (see FIG. 1). In the preferred embodiment, the plurality of grooves 72 have a thickness or width 114 that is smaller than the diameter 116 of the central opening 74. In this manner, any meat containing the bone that is cut down or of sufficient size for accommodating into the central opening 74 is subsequently transferred through to the transfer pipe 80. The meat containing the bone is then transported through the transfer pipe 80 and into the secondary meat grinding unit 34.

The secondary meat grinding unit 34, and its components, are more clearly shown in the exploded view as illustrated in FIG. 7. As illustrated, the secondary meat grinding unit 34 comprises a motor 82, a motor guard 84, a plate 86, a coupling nut 88, a housing adapter 90, a drive shaft 92, a hardened thrust plate 94, a composite bearing 96, an inlet tube 98, a spiral barrel 100, an auger 102, a knife drive 104, a knife spring 106, a knife blade 108, a recessed plate 110, and an end ring 112.

In use, the secondary meat grinding unit 34 is designed to grind and/or extrapolate further bone, hard gristle, foreign objects, etc. . . . from the meat transferred from the primary meat grinding unit 32. As previously disclosed, meat containing bone discarded from the primary meat grinding unit 32 is funneled into the transfer pipe 80. This meat containing the bone is then transferred through the transfer pipe 80 and into the inlet tube 98 of the secondary meat grinding unit 34 (see also FIG. 1) where it is received into the spiral barrel 100 of the secondary meat grinding unit 34. Upon the meat containing the bone being received into the spiral barrel 100, this meat containing bone engages the auger 102 which, when powered, is continuously rotating. As the auger 102 is rotating, a helical screw blade 118 acts as a screw conveyor to advance the meat through the spiral barrel 100 toward the knife blade 108, rotatably driven by the knife drive 104, and the recessed plate 110. When the meat containing bone reaches the knife blade 108 and recessed plate 110, the pressure exerted by the rotating auger 102 will force the meat containing bone against the recessed plate 110 positioning the meat to be cut by the knife blade 108.

The recessed plate 110 is more clearly illustrated in FIGS. 8-11. As illustrated, the recessed plate 110 has a front side 120 and a back side 122. The front side 120 is substantially a flat surface 124 having a plurality of holes 126 and a plurality of recessed grooves 128 each leading or funneling into a central opening 130. In the preferred embodiment, each of the plurality of holes 126 are substantially the same size and each of the plurality of recessed grooves 128 are substantially identical to one another.

As the meat containing the bone is forced against the recessed plate 110, the rotating knife blade 108 will further abrade, slice, shear, grind, ground, or otherwise cut (collectively referred to herein as “cut”) the meat containing bone into even smaller pieces of meat which, when cut into small enough pieces, the meat not containing any bone will be forced through one of the plurality of holes 126. The remaining portions of the meat containing the bone, bone fragments, hard gristle, foreign objects, etc. . . . (collectively referred to herein as “bone”), however, that remain will be too large to pass through the plurality of holes 126. These portions of the remaining meat and the bone will be swept around the flat surface 124 of the recessed plate 110 and will continually be cut into smaller pieces of meat by the knife blade 108 until additional meat is cut into small enough pieces to pass through one of the plurality of holes 126. For the portions of the meat still containing bone that is still too large to pass through the plurality of holes 126, this meat containing bone will rotate across the flat surface 124 and be cut down until it engages one of the plurality of grooves 128. Due to the meat that is subsequently being advanced by the auger 102 toward the recessed plate 110, the pressure of this advancing meat against this meat containing bone will force this remaining meat containing bone into one of the plurality of grooves 128 where it becomes captured and no longer able to be swept around the flat surface 124 of the recessed plate 110. Then, as the plurality of grooves 128 become filled, the rotary motion of the knife blade 108 will exert a camming action on this remaining meat containing bone (e.g., typically a much higher content of bone than meat at this point) within each of the plurality of grooves 128 tending to move this remaining meat containing bone along the plurality of grooves 128 toward, and ultimately into, the central opening 130. In this manner, the additional meat not containing any bone (collectively referred to herein as “additional pure meat”) that is ground to a sufficient size to pass through the plurality of holes 126 of the recessed plate 110 and exit out one of the plurality of outlets 132 situated in the back side 122 of the recessed plate 110. This additional pure meat is likewise released or dropped into and collected in the container 42 along with the “pure meat” from the primary meat grinding unit 32. The meat containing the bone that is captured into each of the plurality of grooves 128 and, which is funneled into the central opening 130, is then forced through the central opening 130 and into a secondary transfer pipe 134 (see FIG. 1). In the preferred embodiment, the plurality of grooves 128 have a thickness or width 138 that is smaller than the diameter 140 of the central opening 130. In this manner, any remaining meat containing bone that is cut down or of sufficient size for accommodating into the central opening 130 is subsequently transferred through to the secondary transfer pipe 134. This remaining meat containing the bone (collectively referred to herein as “undesirables”) is then transported through the secondary transfer pipe 134 until it is forced out the exit portal 136, collected and discarded.

The primary meat grinding unit 32 is attached to the secondary meat grinding unit 34 by a rotating arm 36. The rotating arm 36 comprises a vertical hinge means 38 and 40. The vertical hinge means 38 and 40 comprises a tube 44 having a bearing providing a receiving chamber (not illustrated) and a shaft 46. The tube 44 is illustrated as being cylindrical in shape, however, the tube 44 may alternatively be any other shape as desired provided that the tube 44 accomplishes the invention as disclosed. To create the vertical hinge means 38 and 40, the shaft 46 is inserted into the receiving chamber of the bearing and retained by the tube 44. In the preferred embodiment, the shaft 46 is then freely rotatable within the tube 44 by the bearings. Alternatively, the vertical hinge means 38 and 40 can be any other or type of hinge means that is known by one skilled in the art.

In use, the vertical hinge means 40 permits the secondary meat grinding unit 34 to rotate or pivot about a first axis of rotation A and the vertical hinge means 38 permits the secondary meant grinding unit 34 to also rotate or pivot about a second axis of rotation B. In the preferred embodiment, the first axis of rotation A and the second axis of rotation B permit rotation in both the clockwise and counter clockwise direction. In this manner, the combination of the vertical hinge means 38 and 40 enables the secondary meat grinding unit 34 to be properly positioned relative to the primary meat grinding unit 32 for use of both the primary meat grinding unit 32 and secondary meat grinding unit 34 (and as discussed in more detail herein) and to facilitate collection of all of the pure meat from a batch of meat into the same container 42.

During this process of separating or extrapolating bone, hard gristle, foreign objects, etc. . . . from a batch of meat, in the preferred embodiment, the plurality of holes 126 in the recessed plate 110 of the secondary meat grinding unit 34 (see FIGS. 8-11) are the exact same or substantially the same size than the plurality of holes 70 in the recessed plate 60 of the primary meat grinding unit 32 (see FIGS. 3-6). In this manner, the pure meat processed from the primary meat grinding unit 32 and the additional pure meat processed from the secondary grinding unit 34 will be the exact same or substantially the same size for commercial use. Additionally, the plurality of grooves 128 in the recessed plate 110 of the secondary meat grinding unit 34 (see FIGS. 8-11) have a width 138 that is larger than the width 114 of the plurality of grooves 72 in the recessed plate 60 of the primary meat grinding unit 32 (see FIGS. 3-6). In this manner, the recessed plate 60 in the primary meat grinding unit 32, through the plurality of holes 70 and plurality of grooves 72, produces “pure meat” from the batch of meat deposited into the hopper 58 while excluding and cutting down the meat containing the bone into smaller pieces. Likewise, even after the batch of meat has been reduced in size by the primary meat grinding unit 32, the recessed plate 110 in the secondary meat grinding unit 32, through the smaller plurality of holes 126 and smaller plurality of grooves 128, continues to produce “additional pure meat” from the meat containing the bone that is transferred from the primary meat grinding unit 32 while continuing to exclude the meat containing the bone. As the “pure meat” and “additional pure meat” are being processed, the remaining meat containing bone (i.e., the “undesirables”) remains within the secondary meat grinding unit 34. As such, the width 138 of the plurality of grooves 128 in the recessed plate 110 of the secondary meat grinding unit 34 is larger than the width 114 of the plurality of grooves 72 in the recessed plate 60 of the primary meat grinding unit 32 to capture these undesirables.

Also, during the processing of the meat within the secondary meat grinding unit 34, the motor 82 used is preferably a variable speed control motor. Alternatively, the motor 82 may be another other type of motor provided that it has sufficient power to run the secondary meat grinding unit 34 and accomplish the purposes described herein. In the preferred embodiment, the motor 82 is set at an initial desired speed to control the production rates (i.e., for the auger 102 to advance the meat through the spiral barrel 100 such that the consistency of meat is being processed through the recessed plate 110 and the temperature of the meat is controlled and/or remains at a processing temperature). In the preferred embodiment, the processing temperature of the meat should remain at or below approximately forty degrees Fahrenheit (40° F.).

During processing, however, the speed of the motor 82 (and therefore production rate) might need to be altered or changed if the consistency of the meat and/or the temperature of the meat changes. For example, if the additional pure meat processed from the secondary meat grinding unit 34 begins to lose its consistency, such as appearing crushed or mashed, this would indicate that the speed of the motor 82 is too fast causing the auger 102 to process or force the meat through the recessed plate 110 too fast. If this occurs, the speed of the motor 82 would then need to be reduced to slow down the production rate and thereby maintain the consistency of the meat being processed.

If, however, the additional pure meat processed from the secondary meat grinding unit 34 appears to possibly contain some bone particles, this would indicate that the speed of the motor 82 is too slow causing the auger 102 to process or force the meat, and including some bone, through the plurality of holes 126 in the recessed plate 110. If this occurs, the speed of the motor 82 would then need to be increased to increase the production rate and thereby prevent any bone from being passed through the plurality of holes 126 in the recessed plate; and instead, allow for proper separation of the additional pure meat from the undesirables.

Additionally, if the processing of the meat through the secondary meat grinding unit 34 begins to increase the temperature of the meat above approximately forty degrees Fahrenheit (40° F.), this temperature would be too hot and thereby potentially cause the meat to begin cooking which could potentially cause a commercial devaluation of the meat. To prevent the temperature from causing this undesired affect and possibly cooking the meat, the speed of the motor 82 would then need to be reduced to slow down the production rate and thereby maintain the temperature of the meat at or below approximately forty degrees Fahrenheit (40° F.).

Accordingly, depending upon the conditions of the batch of meat being processed (e.g., frozen batch of meat versus warm batch of meat) and the desired results of the processing, the speed of the motor 82 can be adjusted to produce a slower or faster processing rate, as desired. In this manner, the temperature of the meat being processed can be controlled such that it remains substantially at the processing temperature and the consistency of meat being processed through the secondary meat grinding system 34 can be maintained, as desired.

Additionally, Applicant's continuous meat claiming reclaiming system controls the pressure within the system. Specifically, the batch of meat and bone processed through the primary meat grinding unit 32 is transferred into a transfer pipe 80 (see FIG. 1) that is preferably one and one-half inches (1½″) in diameter which helps release pressure. As the meat and bone enter into the secondary meat grinding unit 34, the spiral barrel 100 expands to four and one-half inches (4½″) in diameter. As the meat and bone proceed through the spiral barrel 100, the spiral barrel 100 further expands to six and one-quarter (6¼″) in diameter before the meat and bone engage the recessed plate 110, thereby releasing more pressure. In this manner, the system relieves the pressure on the meat being processed resulting in a separation of the meat from the bone, not caused by pressure within the system but by the process itself and thereby separating the bone without crushing it, and further enables the pure meat and additional pure meat to be substantially identical product in temperature (without raising) in the same working batch.

With respect to the remaining meat containing the bone (collectively referred to herein as “undesirables”), a variable valve reducer 142 (see FIG. 1) is also used for controlling the flow of the undesirables within the secondary transfer pipe 134 and thereby assist in: (a) creating back pressure on the recessed plate 110; and in (b) transporting and forcing these undesirables through the secondary transfer pipe 134 to reach the exit portal 136 such that these undesirables may be subsequently collected and discarded.

The variable valve reducer 142 is more clearly illustrated in FIGS. 12-15. As illustrated, the variable valve reducer 142 comprises a valve body 144 and an end coupling 146. The valve body 144 comprises a bevel ferrule 148, a hex nut 150, a hollow tube 152 having an external threaded end 154, and a sleeve 155. The end coupling 146 comprises a hex nut 156 having an internal thread, a coupling body 158, and a threaded ferrule 160. Upon screwing the external threaded end 154 of the hollow tube 152 into the internal thread of the hex nut 156, the valve body 144 is releaseably attached to the end coupling 146. The bevel ferrule 148 of the valve body 144 and the threaded ferrule 160 of the end coupling 146 are used to fixedly secure the respective ends of the variable valve reducer 142 within the secondary transfer pipe 134 (see FIG. 1).

Situated and releaseably secured within the valve body 144 and end coupling 146 is a valve regulator insert 162 having as a controlling means a lever 164. The valve regulator insert 162 is more clearly illustrated in FIG. 16. As illustrated, the valve regulator insert 162 comprises a front surface 166 and a back surface 168. Located on the front surface 166 is a plurality of detents 170. A lever recessed hole 172 is also situated on the exterior of valve regulator insert 162 and has a sufficient size to releaseably retain the lever 164 when in use. Situated within the valve regulator insert 162 is an curved wall 174. This curved wall 174 leads or extends into a passageway 176 that extends through the entire variable valve reducer 142 which includes through the front surface 166 and out the back surface 168 of the valve regulator insert 162.

In the preferred embodiment, the curved wall 174 has a curved shape. In the preferred embodiment, this curved shape could helical, curvilinear, coiling, corkscrew, spiral, involute, screwlike, winding, and/or any other curved shape that is known to one skilled in the art. The curved wall 174 has a proximal end 180 positioned at a location relative to the passageway 176 and a distal end 182 adjacent to the front surface 166 of the valve regulator insert 162. In the preferred embodiment, the proximal end 180 of the curved wall 174 is positioned at a depth 184 (see FIG. 18). In the preferred embodiment, the depth 184 is substantially 0.250 inches. Alternatively, the depth 184 may be increased or decreased to accommodate the proper flow or production rate through the valve regulator insert 162, as desired. As illustrated in FIG. 17, the depth 184 is substantially 0.125 inches, or, in another alternative embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 19, the depth 184 may be substantially 0.500 inches. Depending upon the depth 184 that is used and placement of the proximal end 180 relative to the passageway 176 will determine the impact that the curved wall 174 has with respect to the flow of the undesirables through the variable valve reducer 142 and ultimately within the secondary transfer pipe 134.

For example, if the depth 184 of the proximal end 180 is at 0.125 inches, as illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 20, the curved wall 174 is situated in a constricting plane 178. In this manner, this constricting plane 178 is positioned at an angle 186 to the front surface 166 of the valve regulator insert 162. If the depth 184 of the proximal end 180 is at 0.250 inches, as illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 21, the curved wall 174 is situated in the constricting plane 178 at a larger angle 186 to the front surface 166 of the valve regulator insert 162. Alternatively, if the depth 184 of the proximal end 180 is at 0.500, as illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 22, the curved wall 174 is situated in the constricting plane 178 at a further larger angle 186 to the front surface 166 of the valve regulator insert 162. In this manner, the smaller the depth 184 and location of the proximal end 180, the smaller the angle 186 that the constricting plane 178 is in relation to the front surface 166 of the valve regulator insert 162. Likewise, the larger the depth 184 and location of the proximal end 180, the larger the angle 186 that the constricting plane 178 is in relation to the front surface 166 of the valve regulator insert 162. Thus, when in use, the smaller depth 184 and smaller angle 186 permits the curved wall 174 to have a greater impact on restricting the flow through the valve regulator insert 162 when the curved wall 174 is rotated along the constricting plane 178 and positioned or extended into the passageway 176.

This is also exemplified or more clearly illustrated in FIGS. 20-22. As the passageway 176 passes through an inlet 188, a neck 190, and a counter bore 192, as illustrated, the smaller the depth 184 creates the smaller the angle 186 of the constricting plane 178 into the inlet 188 and therefore enables the greater the restriction the curved wall 174 will have on the flow of the undesirables through the variable valve reducer 142 as the curved wall 174 is rotated along the constricting plane 178 and into the passageway 176. Likewise, the greater the depth 184 creates a greater angle 186 of the constricting plane 178 resulting in a larger inlet 188 and therefore, as the curved wall 174 is rotated along the constricting plane 178 and into the passageway 176, the curved wall 174 will have, although an impact, a smaller or less impact on the flow of the undesirables through the variable valve reducer 142.

The curved wall 174, as illustrated in these FIGS. 20-22, is shown in the “fully open” position. In this “fully open” position, the flow of the undesirables is unobstructed by the curved wall 174 as it passes through the passageway 176 of the variable valve reducer 142. In the preferred embodiment, the valve regulator insert 162 is fixedly secured in this “fully open” position using a plunger 194 (see FIG. 28). The plunger 194 has a protruding tip 196 that is retained or locked into position by one of the plurality of detents 170 in the front surface 166 of the valve regulator insert 162. To accommodate this “fully open” position, the protruding tip 196 of the plunger 194 is aligned with and received into the detent 198, as illustrated in FIGS. 23 a and 23 b. In this manner, the valve regulator insert 162 becomes secured or locked into position within the variable valve reducer 142.

If the lever 164 is moved in the direction of Arrow A, as illustrated in FIG. 23 a, the valve regulator insert 162 is rotated counterclockwise within the variable valve reducer 142. As the lever 164 is moved or rotated in this counterclockwise direction, the force exerted upon the lever 164 and the rotation of the valve regulator insert 162 will exceed the retaining force of the protruding tip 196 of the plunger 194 within the detent 198 and thereby allow the rotation of the valve regulator insert 162 to continue rotating within the variable valve reducer 142. This rotation continues until detent 200 in the front surface 166 of the valve regulator insert 162 (see FIG. 24 b) becomes aligned with the protruding tip 196 of the plunger 194 to thereby secure or lock the valve regulator insert 162 in a second position. In this second position, as a result of the rotation of the valve regulator insert 162 within the variable valve reducer 142, the curved wall 174 is rotated or moved along the constricting plane 178 to extend into the passageway 176 and thereby begin to obstruct the flow, as illustrated in FIG. 24 a. As a result, in this second position, twenty-five percent (25%) of the curved wall 174 is extended into the passageway 176 to obstruct the flow within the passageway 176.

If the lever 164 is moved again in the direction of Arrow A, the valve regulator insert 162 is again rotated counterclockwise within the variable valve reducer 142. As the lever 164 is moved or rotated in this counterclockwise direction, the force exerted upon the lever 164 and the rotation of the valve regulator insert 162 will exceed the retaining force of the protruding tip 196 of the plunger 194 within the detent 200 and thereby allow the rotation of the valve regulator insert 162 to continue rotating within the variable valve reducer 142. This rotation continues until detent 202 in the front surface 166 of the valve regulator insert 162 (see FIG. 25 b) becomes aligned with the protruding tip 196 of the plunger 194 to thereby secure or lock the valve regulator insert 162 in a third position. In this third position, as a result of the rotation of the valve regulator insert 162 within the variable valve reducer 142, the curved wall 174 is rotated or moved along the constricting plane 178 to further extend into the passageway 176 and further obstruct the flow, as illustrated in FIG. 25 a. As a result, in this third position, fifty percent (50%) of the curved wall 174 is extended into the passageway 176 to obstruct the flow within the passageway 176.

If the lever 164 is moved again in the direction of Arrow A, the valve regulator insert 162 is continued to be rotated counterclockwise within the variable valve reducer 142. As the lever 164 is moved or rotated in this counterclockwise direction, the force exerted upon the lever 164 and the rotation of the valve regulator insert 162 will exceed the retaining force of the protruding tip 196 of the plunger 194 within the detent 202 and thereby allow the rotation of the valve regulator insert 162 to continue rotating within the variable valve reducer 142. This rotation continues until detent 204 in the front surface 166 of the valve regulator insert 162 (see FIG. 26 b) becomes aligned with the protruding tip 196 of the plunger 194 to thereby secure or lock the valve regulator insert 162 in a fourth position. In this fourth position, as a result of the rotation of the valve regulator insert 162 within the variable valve reducer 142, the curved wall 174 is rotated or moved along the constricting plane 178 to again further extend into the passageway 176 and obstruct the flow even further, as illustrated in FIG. 26 a. As a result, in this fourth position, seventy-five percent (75%) of the curved wall 174 is extended into the passageway 176 to obstruct the flow within the passageway 176.

If the lever 164 is moved again in the direction of Arrow A, the valve regulator insert 162 is continued to be rotated counterclockwise within the variable valve reducer 142. As the lever 164 is moved or rotated in this counterclockwise direction, the force exerted upon the lever 164 and the rotation of the valve regulator insert 162 is again able to exceed the retaining force of the protruding tip 196 of the plunger 194 within the detent 204 and thereby allow the rotation of the valve regulator insert 162 to continue rotating within the variable valve reducer 142. This rotation continues until detent 206 in the front surface 166 of the valve regulator insert 162 (see FIG. 27 b) becomes aligned with the protruding tip 196 of the plunger 194 to thereby secure or lock the valve regulator insert 162 in a fifth position. In this fifth position, as a result of the rotation of the valve regulator insert 162 within the variable valve reducer 142, the curved wall 174 is rotated or moved along the constricting plane 178 to again further extend into the passageway 176 and obstruct the flow even further, as illustrated in FIG. 27 a. As a result, in this fifth position, one hundred percent (100%) of the curved wall 174 is extended into the passageway 176 to maximize the obstruction of the flow within the passageway 176.

As a further example, FIGS. 29 a-29 d illustrate the a side perspective view of the variable valve reducer 142 and, in particular, the curved wall 174 of the valve regulator insert 162 as it rotates from the fully open position, as illustrated in FIG. 29 a, to an extended position situated into or within the passageway 176, as illustrated in FIG. 29 b, to a further extended position situated into or within the passageway 176, and until finally the curved wall 174 of the valve regulator insert 162 is in its maximum extended position situated or within the passageway 176 at its fifth position.

Alternatively, the lever 164 may be moved in the opposite or counter clockwise direction to re-position the curved wall 174 in the same manner, as desired. Also, in the preferred embodiment, as the curved wall 174 has a curved shape, this shape, in each of the fully open, second position, third position, fourth position, and/or fifth position, further assists in funneling or directing the undesirables as it passes the curved wall 174 toward the neck 190 within the passageway 176 while simultaneously controlling the flow as the curved wall 174 rotates along the constricting plane 178.

Upon completion of the system and process described herein, a batch of meat inserted into Applicant's meat grinding system is processed in a single processing run (i.e., through the primary meat grinding unit 32 which generates the initial pure meat from the batch and secondary or reclaiming meat grinding unit 34 which generates the additional or final pure meat from the batch with any remaining undesirables from the batch being discarded through the secondary transfer pipe). This single processing run of a batch of meat, is continuous and without interruption or storage of any kind, with all of the resulting pure meat from each batch of meat being produced and generated into a single container for further commercial preparation and distribution.

Thus, there has been provided Applicant's inventive continuous meat grinding reclaiming system. While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A variable valve reducer, comprising: a body having an inlet and an outlet; an open passageway extending through the body from the inlet to the outlet; a valve regulator insert situated within the body, the valve regulator insert having a front surface, a back surface, and a second passageway extending through the valve regulator insert and in flow communication with the open passageway; a wall situated inside the second passageway and adjacent to the front surface, the wall formed into a curved shape and having a proximal end and a distal end, and further defining a constricting plane between them, the constricting plane forming an angle to the front surface; and means for rotating the valve regulator insert within the body; and whereby, rotating the valve regulator insert within the body causes the rotation of the wall along the constricting plane between a plurality of positions for controlling the flow through the open passageway.
 2. The variable valve reducer of claim 1 wherein the curved shape of the wall assists in funneling the flow through the open passageway in any of the plurality of positions.
 3. The variable valve reducer of claim 1 wherein the curved shape is selected from the group consisting of helical, curvilinear, coiling, corkscrew, spiral, involute, screwlike, and winding.
 4. The variable valve reducer of claim 1 wherein as the percentage of the wall extends into the second passageway is increased, the flow through the open passageway becomes more obstructed.
 5. The variable valve reducer of claim 1 wherein the angle of the constricting plane to the front surface remains fixed as the wall is rotated along the constricting plane between the plurality of positions.
 6. The variable valve reducer of claim 1 wherein the plurality of positions are selected from the group consisting of a fully open position, a second position, a third position, a fourth position, and a fifth position.
 7. The variable valve reducer of claim 6 wherein, in the fully open position, zero percent of the wall is extended into the second passageway and the flow through the open passageway is unobstructed.
 8. The variable valve reducer of claim 6 wherein, in the second position, twenty-five percent of the wall is extended into the second passageway obstructing the flow through the open passageway.
 9. The variable valve reducer of claim 6 wherein, in the third position, fifty percent of the wall is extended into the second passageway obstructing the flow through the open passageway more than in the second position.
 10. The variable valve reducer of claim 6 wherein, in the fourth position, seventy-five percent of the wall is extended into the second passageway obstructing the flow through the open passageway more than in the third position.
 11. The variable valve reducer of claim 6 wherein, in the fifth position, one hundred percent of the wall is extended into the second passageway obstructing the maximum flow through the open passageway more than in the fourth position.
 12. The variable valve reducer of claim 1 wherein the wall is fixedly secured inside the insert body.
 13. The variable valve reducer of claim 1 wherein the means for rotating the valve regulator insert within the body comprises a sleeve providing access through the body and into the open passageway, a recessed hole situated in the exterior of the valve regulator insert, a lever releaseably inserted through the sleeve and the open passageway and into the recessed hole in the exterior of the valve regulator insert, a plurality of detents located on the front surface, a plunger situated within the body and having a protruding tip, whereby, upon moving the lever in the counter-clockwise direction, the valve regulator insert is rotated counter-clockwise within the body until the protruding tip in the plunger becomes aligned with any one of the plurality of detents located on the front surface to secure the valve regulator insert in any one of the plurality of positions.
 14. A valve, comprising: a body having an inlet and an outlet; an open passageway extending through the body from the inlet to the outlet and defining a flow plane; an insert releaseably secured inside the body, the insert having having a front surface, a back surface, a hollow passageway extending through the insert between the front surface and the back surface and aligned in the flow plane, and a wall situated inside the hollow passageway; and means for rotating the insert within the body, whereby, rotating the insert within the body causes the rotation of the wall and changes the percentage of the wall that extends into the flow plane for controlling the flow through the open passageway.
 15. The valve of claim 14 wherein the wall is fixedly secured inside the hollow passageway of the insert.
 16. The valve of claim 15 wherein the insert positions the wall at a depth in the hollow passageway from the front surface.
 17. The valve of claim 16 wherein the insert is removed from the body and replaced with a second insert, the second insert positions the wall at a second depth in the hollow passageway from the front surface.
 18. The valve of claim 17 wherein the second insert is removed from the body and replaced with a third insert, the third insert positions the wall at a third depth in the hollow passageway from the front surface.
 19. The valve of claim 18 wherein the third depth is smaller than the second depth and the second depth is smaller than the depth.
 20. The valve of claim 19 wherein the third depth further positions the wall to have a greater impact on restricting the flow through the open passageway than the wall positioned at the second depth and the second depth further positions the wall to have a greater impact on restricting the flow through the open passageway than the wall positioned at the depth. 